"A request was made of the (Phillipsburg)
police department to look into the facts of the case," he said. "I've had
discussions with Chief (James) Faulborn and it's something we are going to
jointly look into."

Burke said today he does not have a time frame for when his office will determine whether any of the eight wrestlers involved could be charged with crimes. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is also investigating.

The Star-Ledger reported eight members of the Stateliners wrestling team were suspended for three days from school in addition to being barred from competing in this weekend's New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association District 1 tournament.

The photo began circulating publicly Monday, a day after the undefeated Stateliners defeated Southern Regional to take the NJSIAA Group 4 team state championship at Toms River North High School.

Burke said the investigation began Thursday and will be comprehensive. But he stressed that simply because his
office is investigating the photo doesn't mean a criminal act has taken place.

"Obviously, we're looking to determine
if there is," he said. "One of two things is going to come out of it: we find there
is and we prosecute it or we find there isn't and that ends it."

In addition to apologizing for the photo, the wrestlers' statement voiced disappointment with how the Phillipsburg High School administration handled the discipline -- saying the wrestlers had been told they would be able to compete for state individual titles.

High school Principal Gregory Troxell has declined comment. Efforts Thursday night and today to reach Phillipsburg schools Superintendent George Chando for comment have been unsuccessful.